Chapter Seven

Warm breezes slipped through the narrow gap of the carriage curtain, carrying the scent of mountain forests and wild grasses. The surroundings no longer echoed with the clamor of the city; instead, all that could be heard was the mingling rhythm of footsteps and rolling wheels.

Outside the side window, the vast green fields gradually gave way to smooth white stone tiles. After a short while—about the time it takes for incense to burn—the carriage wheels slowed to a stop.

Li Lan instinctively clutched the handkerchief in her palm. They had passed the outskirts of East Mountain; now, they were truly within the imperial residence.

Before setting out, waiting at home to depart, and mounting the carriage, she had felt no nervousness. Yet now, standing on the grounds of the imperial palace, hesitation gripped her uncontrollably.

After all, she had never experienced such grand occasions. She recalled the simplified wedding banquet held when she entered the Xu family at fifteen—now known to be a modest affair—but even that had seemed solemn and lavish to her then.

So far, the grandest scene she had witnessed was the exuberance of the Xu family’s New Year celebrations. Since marrying Xu Yulian, who had been confined to the residence under her care, she had once been taken by Xu Biqing to watch a polo match held by the young nobles by the shores of Changbi Lake.

Yet even those events paled in comparison to the imperial family’s gathering today—mere trifles.

Li Lan pressed her lips together, forcing herself to relax the fingers gripping her handkerchief. Pear Cotton’s expression beside her was one of utter vigilance, and Xing’er trembled slightly too. Still, the young girl’s inexperience lent her a fearless edge, and beneath her nervousness was a faint thrill.

“Second Madam, please alight from the carriage,” the coachman’s voice sounded as expected from outside.

Pear Cotton pushed open the carriage door and stepped out, followed closely by Xing’er. Below, the sedan chair was already arranged.

Once the two maids were on firm ground, Li Lan lifted her skirts slightly and bent forward to step from the carriage. She extended her hand, which Pear Cotton caught in her palm, gently guiding Li Lan’s embroidered shoe onto the sedan chair’s footrest before she alighted lightly.

Though she had not lived long in the General’s mansion, she returned during festivals to join the household’s celebrations. She occasionally received instruction from Lady Zhang, and the formal etiquette and rituals she had learned then were not forgotten.

Pear Cotton had been taught by the elder women who managed the girls since childhood and was even more familiar with these customs. Xing’er stood stiffly by, silent and still, no doubt unsettled by the unfamiliar and serious atmosphere.

After disembarking, Li Lan raised her gaze. Ahead of their carriage, Xu Biqing was also helped down by maids and attendants. The warm sunshine bathed her; the young lady wore a vermilion skirt reminiscent of autumn leaves, her forehead adorned with golden floral ornaments that gleamed brilliantly, radiantly beautiful.

Further ahead, Lady Zhang and Zhuang Ningyuan also descended from their carriage. Lady Zhang bore the rank of a titled noblewoman; her hair piled high like clouds, she exuded an aura of dignified elegance. Though Zhuang Ningyuan’s attire was simpler, the tinkling of her jade pendants and the delicate moon-like makeup on her face gave her an ethereal grace.

The three women converged as one family.

Li Lan lowered her eyes to her own dress, uncertain whether she should approach.

Lady Zhang turned and beckoned lightly, “Lanxin, come here.”

Li Lan stepped forward into Lady Zhang’s approving, gentle smile and met Xu Biqing’s scrutinizing gaze, which betrayed no disdain despite her dress.

Before setting off, Xu Biqing had fussed over her appearance at length and was the last to leave the residence. Li Lan had boarded the carriage first, so Xu Biqing had yet to see her true attire for the day.

“Mother!” Xu Biqing complained, glaring at her own mother, “You said you sent new clothes to Second Sister-in-Law, but why aren’t they brighter? If those girls I don’t get along with see my sister-in-law looking so shabby, I’ll be utterly embarrassed!”

The daughters of the Minister of Revenue, the Duke of Wei, and the Earl of Yongcheng’s households were perennial rivals, always competing to outshine one another. If they saw her with such a poor and unsophisticated sister-in-law, they would surely seize the chance to mock and humiliate her.

What was her mother doing? Sending out her own family’s shame to be trampled on!

Her mother and that village girl sister-in-law had no shame, but Xu Biqing still cared about her own reputation!

She lifted her chin defiantly at Li Lan. “There are several other dresses in my trunk. You should try them on and change quickly. This isn’t some…”

“Enough.” Lady Zhang’s face grew stern. “Your sister-in-law is a modest and prudent woman who does not covet material things. You should respect her and learn to preserve your virtue instead of babbling nonsense.”

Li Lan remained silent, as did Zhuang Ningyuan standing beside her, both keeping their eyes lowered in quiet contemplation.

Xu Biqing stared incredulously, thinking her mother had lost her mind.

At home, it was one thing, but today was an imperial palace banquet.

She opened her mouth to argue again. “Mother, but today is—”

“Enough!” Lady Zhang waved her hand impatiently, then turned and walked inside with Zhuang Ningyuan following closely.

Xu Biqing stomped her foot in frustration, shot a fierce glare at Li Lan, muttered curses under her breath, then hurried after them. Within a few strides, she reached the front and linked arms with Lady Zhang, coaxing her mother with soft words and a coquettish smile.

Only then did Li Lan take a step forward, walking behind the mother and daughter, side by side with Zhuang Ningyuan.

The closer they drew, the more people gathered around—women from various households, a swarm of maidservants and attendants, palace maids, and eunuchs bustling about. The atmosphere was vibrant as all moved in unison toward the same destination.

Madam Qi had explained the rules after entering the palace and outlined the general proceedings.

It was past the hour of the Snake by now; after hours of travel, both masters and servants were weary. The more vigorous activities, such as the hunt, would not commence immediately.

Instead, the guests would first enjoy a banquet: fragrant wines, exquisite dishes, delicacies from sea and mountain, all prepared early within the palace. After sufficient rest, various entertainments would follow—

The hunt, polo matches, flower gatherings, refined poetry salons—countless splendid events, dazzling and unending.

At the palace feast, men and women sat separately. Xu’s father took the young son Xu Cheng to the grand hall on the other side, while the women proceeded westward toward the Jade Dew Terrace.

Yet Li Lan still felt uneasy. Glancing ahead, she saw Lady Zhang and Xu Biqing close together, chatting warmly. Beside her were only Pear Cotton, Xing’er, and Zhuang Ningyuan’s attendants.

Lowering her voice, she said, “Sister-in-law.”

Zhuang Ningyuan turned her head calmly.

“When we enter inside, where shall I sit?” Li Lan whispered.

She was not being overly anxious—Madam Qi had told her to stay close to Lady Zhang, but Lady Zhang bore the rank of titled noblewoman, while Li Lan was a commoner with no noble lineage. She had no idea of the seating protocol or whether she could sit beside Lady Zhang.

As expected, her concern was soon confirmed.

“My mother has her rank, so you cannot sit with her,” Zhuang Ningyuan said evenly.

“Then…”

Zhuang Ningyuan’s eyes were calm as a still lake. “You will sit with me.”

Li Lan breathed a slight sigh of relief, her heart settling. “Alright.”

Among the many women of the Xu family’s Manchu clans—relatives by blood, marriage, or household—she preferred to be with this sister-in-law. Zhuang Ningyuan was gentle and serene, even more reserved than the nuns in the temple. She never troubled her, though she did not grow close either.

Li Lan found that perfectly acceptable—peaceful and uneventful.

But after this brief exchange, Zhuang Ningyuan did not fall silent as usual; she remained quiet.

As they drew nearer to the Jade Dew Terrace, more officials’ wives and relatives gathered, and more eyes turned toward them.

Naturally, the gazes focused primarily on Li Lan. Some noble ladies whispered while clutching their handkerchiefs; others openly sneered; some looked on with mere curiosity.

Zhuang Ningyuan’s eyes briefly scanned Li Lan’s figure, finally resting on the coiffure atop her head.

She whispered, “I still have some hairpins and ornaments there. If we go now, there’s time to fetch them.”

The implication was clear.

Li Lan’s pupils trembled slightly. After a moment of surprise, a small warmth blossomed in her heart.

“Thank you, Sister-in-law,” Li Lan said with a gentle smile. “But these clothes were all provided by my mother and are sufficient. Changing might offend her kindness.”

She met Zhuang Ningyuan’s gaze deeply. The other woman understood and spoke no more.

Entering the Jade Dew Terrace, Li Lan followed the palace attendants’ guidance to her seat at the banquet table.

Her place was roughly in the middle of the row. Palace maids respectfully brought in dishes, tea, and wine in orderly procession.

Li Lan gazed at the yellow rosewood table, its surface inlaid with gold and silver, laden with plates, basins, pots, cups, bowls, and dishes—all masterpieces from renowned kilns. Beside the table stood a small incense stand, dedicated to rare fragrances and blossoms to delight the guests. She could not help but marvel at the imperial family’s extravagance.

Turning her eyes toward the head of the table, she saw the seats reserved for the duchesses and the wives of the chancellors. The imperial consorts, princesses, and princes’ consorts did not dine with the ministers but gathered in the Qingxiao Hall where the emperor presided.

A faint regret stirred in her heart—she had hoped to glimpse the ladies of the palace.

She withdrew her gaze, ignoring the many strange looks cast her way, and began to eat.

Scooping up a spoonful of clear broth, she tasted it lightly. Her pupils contracted slightly.

The soup seemed plain but was rich in flavor, layers of umami and saltiness interlocking with astonishing fragrance.

Each dish that followed was unique and exquisite. The wine poured was fruit wine, smooth and different from the occasional sips she took at New Year’s celebrations. It went down gently, warming her stomach.

Li Lan never put down her chopsticks, eating slowly.

In truth, she could eat only a little—the portions were small. She took a bit of each dish, savoring the flavors.

Yet while she enjoyed herself quietly, not far away Xu Biqing was nearly livid.

Several irritating whispers around her laughed—

“Is that Xu family’s sister-in-law?”

“I vaguely heard that Xu’s second son was injured on the battlefield and retired, marrying a woman of no background. Never saw her before—so she really exists.”

“Good heavens, look at her—like a starving ghost come back to life,” someone covered their mouth and nose.

“Whatever else, what’s she wearing? So unlucky.”

“Right. Xu San Niang, you can’t always be thinking about polo matches and poetry clubs; you should pay more attention to your family.”

“Ah, don’t be too hard on San Niang; the Xu family is one of military lineage—they’re not particular about these things.”

“…”

The ladies around whispered and mocked in turn. Xu Biqing heard every word, her face growing green, fingers clutching her sleeves tightly.

Her eyes blazed with fury, shooting daggers at the oblivious Li Lan.

Those piercing glares almost took tangible form. After a few breaths, the woman under their gaze finally noticed.

Xu Biqing looked up belatedly and met Li Lan’s calm eyes.

Without a flicker of emotion, Li Lan turned her head away and sipped her fruit wine again.

Xu Biqing found it impossible to believe her eyes. If they were not set in her sockets, they would have leapt out to strike.

She—she—how dare she ignore her?!

The damned village girl who didn’t belong on this stage!